[54] MODULAR NOTEBOOK AND PDA
COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR PERSONAL
COMPUTING AND WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS
[76] Inventor: Richard J. Ditzik, 3143 Carnegie Ct., San Diego, Calif. 92122
[21] Appl. No.: 08/832,923 [22] Filed: Apr. 4, 1997
[51] Int. CI.6 H04B 7/15
[52] U.S. CI 455/11.1; 455/556; 455/557;
455/569
[58] Field of Search 455/11.1, 556,
455/557, 575, 568, 572, 90, 569; 364/705.05
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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5,127,041 6/1992 O'Sullivan 455/557
5,189,632 2/1993 Paajanen et al 364/379
5,196,993 3/1993 Herron et al 361/248
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5,327,486 7/1994 Wolff et al 379/379
5,440,449 8/1995 Scheer 361/686
5,459,458 10/1995 Richardson et al 340/364
5,490,284 2/1996 Itoh et al 455/11.1
5,570,389 10/1996 Rossi 455/557
5,592,491 1/1997 Dinkins 455/11.1
5,628,055 5/1997 Stein 455/90
5,634,080 5/1997 Kikinis et al 455/575
5,659,890 8/1997 Hidaka 455/575
5,675,629 10/1997 Raffel et al 455/561
5,701,515 12/1997 Gradeler 395/834
Primary Examiner—Edward F. Urban [57] ABSTRACT
A small light weight modular microcomputer based computer and communications systems, designed for both portability and desktop uses. The systems make use of a relative large flat panel display device assembly (2), an expandable hinge device (10), battery power source (9), keyboard assembly (16), and wireless communications devices (32, 51). The systems are capable of bi-directional realtime communications of voice, audio, text, graphics and video data. Both wire-based or wireless communications methods and devices are implemented. Wireless communications devices may include one or more telephone-like handsets (14) and/or earset (34). The wireless communication devices may include one or more antennae (32). Systems can be configured in a portable arrangement similar to conventional notebook computers, but can be quickly and easily disassembled and re-assembled for office desktop uses. Systems may consist of a base computer unit (100) comprising wireless communication devices may act as a relay station relaying voice and other data between the handset or earset and external wide area communications networks. The system may be capable of performing, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, conventional notebook computer, desktop computer functions.
9 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
